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21 Sep, 2021

Countdown to CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks - season opener

Countdown to CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks - season opener

Sept 21, 2021 - HONG KONG - It’s been a tough year and a half for the running community who are normally inspired by quotes like train the mind not to quit, but with pandemic obstacles at their feet for many it’s a breath of fresh air that events are slowly coming back, like the sold out CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks which is the first big trail running curtain raiser every fall season.

For triathlete Shirley Hung getting motivated depends on how disciplined you are. “I suppose it is all about self-discipline and determination. Covid hit when I literally just started my journey in sports. I started training to do triathlons and as cross training, I got myself into trail running as well. I participated in two trail races and then covid came, and everything came to a halt. Two years into triathlon training and I still haven’t had a taste of a real “race” to date. But all that did not stop me from sticking to my training religiously, knowing that one day we’ll be able to participate in races again and I’ve just been preparing myself for the opportunities. I think in a way the pandemic has helped me focus (without all the distractions like overseas holidays and nights out! “Said Hung.

This years’ CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks will not have food at the checkpoints or finish as a health safety measure. Hung continued saying “This is my first time at this event! Looking forward to some good team efforts and will try my best. Time to see where the last year of training has taken me. I’m the first timer speaking here. I’ve been on the course leisurely before and thoroughly enjoyed it; will definitely have fun and enjoy the course with all other runners out there! I would recommend bringing supplements that your system is used to and comfortable with; I personally cannot consume solid food while running, but everyone is different. It’s important to know what your body needs… go on a long run and find out if you are unsure of what to eat in a race”.

One of the health measures including being fully vaccinated is to get a PCR test within 48 hours before the event. “With the pandemic co-existing with us for the past year, I suppose people are getting used to (if not already) to the “new normal”. We find ways to resume lives as before, but of course with heightened awareness of hygiene and protection. PCR testing is one way to protect race participants and the general public, I think people will understand the necessity of it,” said Hung.

Salomon Wettstein who has been on the podium previously and one of the favorites at this year’s CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks was happy that the event was sold out and that races are slowly returning.” Last two years were difficult for all runners in HK having only a few races to compete in. My last race was at the end of 2019. On the other hand, it helped me to build a stronger base with much higher volume due to no travel, more WFH, and a mindset to run every day to stay resilient in my leadership position running a company. Yes, living in Lantau helps as you to get used to the long climbs up Lantau and Sunset peak. I know the trails very well and I feel comfortable on the terrain. I still try to avoid the cable car route on the slippery wooden steps, the only trail on Lantau that I don’t like.”

When asked about advice to others Wettstein offered some important advice. “The distance of both races seems short and many runners go out too hard at the beginning. It’s still end of summer with a high risk to getting dehydrated half-way thru. Try to stay patient and don’t push too hard on the first climb, as it’s essentially 3 climbs for the 23k route. The last downhill is long, and you want to save your legs up Sunset peak to be able to push hard on that long downhill followed by a 2k flat sprint. Most important: stay hydrated! Keep drinking water, as much as you can. A few gels are enough in terms of energy, but you need to drink much more than you would normally do given you’ll be fully exposed to the sun on the peaks. Take some salt tablets with you or anything else that helps you in case you end up cramping.”

The testing doesn’t bother Wettstein as he continued, “Doing PCR testing in HK is easy and straightforward and I don’t see it as an issue at all. In fact, I fully support that there is enough precaution taken. We all want to get back to normal with more races and both vaccination and testing are a key requirement for this to happen.”

For Charlotte Chan, it has been a good year until just recently just before the CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks.

“Due to the pandemic, I can only stay in HK, so I spent lots of time hiking with my performance improving a lot and got to know lots of beautiful mountains. Then last month unfortunately, I got an injury in my ankle and can’t join the CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks race now.” Said Chan. When asked about advice to others Chan continued saying, “Would recommend others to go through the whole route to be familiar with the route and understand the needs of our body in different areas and consider some easy jogs, but long distance and then rest together with making sure you bring gels and salt pills during the actual race. I do not think PCR testing will turn off runners to do races as it doesn’t cost much.”

For Jinko Takeshige (podium finisher of 2020 Action Asia Lantau virtual race) the pandemic hasn’t been that bad but can’t wait for the real thing. “I had more time for training because of Covid than I had ever had before. I am a flight attendant and there has been much less flights. Some of my friends who work in the office also had more time since they worked from home, saved transportation time. I am getting older, but I think I can do better since I have been training more. I am very much looking forward for a real race. I love the atmosphere of the races. It is hard to push myself by doing a virtual race.”

When it comes to the final week and food on course Jinko has an easy solution. “I suggest doing a recce if you can, eat and sleep well, and avoid injuries. Gels. Since it isn’t a long race and mostly uphill or downhill, and technical terrain, I think gels are easier to take than Bars” says Takeshige. Of course, take that with a grain of salt as this lady is clearly an elite compared to some that could be on the course for up to 7 hours or more may want to bring something else. Takeshige made one last comment on the testing. “For everybody safety, it is understandable to do PCR test before the race in current situation. I don’t think that it will turn off the runners to do races in HK. It is hard to travel out from HK, the runners are craving for real races,” said Takeshige.

Well-known and long-distance running fanatic Hyun Chang Chung who loves running for sometimes up to 60 hours on his own personal challenges and 4Trails races believes heading into the CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks hasn’t made a huge difference this year in getting outside. “Training wise, not much difference as I try to keep consistent training thru the year by using different race location courses for long distance training like KOTH, Action Asia, 4Trails as a way to not off personal 100mile (160km) personal challenges. I got use to my own food with no races going on and the training has helped me become self-reliant and do recommend for this 2 Peaks course to gels and salt tablets. I find for a course this length that is the most economical in terms of efficiency as easy to carry and fast to digest. On the testing that races now face, I think we have to live with it and will probably be the new normal for the short term. After 9-11, everybody had to take off their shoes, belts for metal detector scanning at airports so we can all live with this as just another test. Very excited and finally and looking forward to running with others in this environment. I will try and compete against my own time. Will be interesting how well I do against my time 10 years ago’” said Hyun.

Michael Maddess the Race Director and Course Designer of the CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks said, “The course is tough, especially the 23km and as the old saying goes, there is no elevator to success as you have to take the stairs.”

One key thing many of the upcoming participants keep stressing is the key to interact with others and the socializing that keeps many of us, mentally sane as it does improve their quality of life, especially during a pandemic when many of us are getting lonely walking around with face masks. Hong Kong is one of the largest running communities in the world with some incredible talent. Let the season begin.

CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks - Hong Kong - Oct 3, 2021 - SOLD OUT.

23km & 15km distances.

Race Info

Event Name	*CBRE Lantau 2 Peaks*
Date	3rd October 2021 (Sunday)
Start Time	7:30 am - (wave starts)
Start & FinishLocation	Tung Chung, Lantau, Hong Kong
Distance	(15km & 23km)
Category	Trail Running and Hiking
Website	www.actionasiaevents.com